Despite great advances in IVF technologies, the success rates of a live birth are still only slightly higher than 50 percent. So, what can you do to increase those odds?
Do your homework
Choose the right center, and then choose the right physician. When you pre-interview a potential physician, are they listening? Are they offering options for tests that can help determine why you haven’t gotten pregnant? The difference is all about their approach. Are they looking at your individual situation and evaluating everything before simply rushing into IVF?
Understand what each procedure does and what it means in the context of your treatment plan. For example, significant advances in genetic testing of embryos drastically reduces the chance of chromosomal abnormalities leading to failure. Other tests evaluate causes associated with endometrial defects like adenomyosis, endometriosis, or even simple infections.
Weigh cost versus reward
The average cost of a single IVF transfer is over $12,000. It takes an average of two and a half cycles for success. That’s more than $25,000 plus, importantly, the emotional pain of at least one failure and the physical cost of going through a second IVF cycle. Going into your first consult armed with information on workups pre-transfer is critical.
Look into tests that are cost effective and may uncover a significant biological issue affecting success. ReceptivaDx™ for instance, is designed to identify uterine inflammation, most likely caused by endometriosis, the leading cause of unexplained infertility. If positive, several treatment options are available prior to IVF transfer that will greatly increase the chance of a live birth. Outcome’s data shows a more than 50 percent increase in the chance of success after treatment.
Finally, use social media support groups like Facebook, Reddit, and others to vet new technologies and experiences. Your peers are one of your best reference sources.
